Canadian Soccer Association ends Quebec Soccer Federation suspension

The Canadian Soccer Association announced on Saturday 15 June that it has ended the suspension of the Quebec Soccer Federation imposed on Monday 10 June 2013 effective immediately.

The Quebec Soccer Federation provided the required written confirmation on Saturday 15 June that it had reversed its decision to ban turbans/patkas/keski, thereby complying with the Canadian Soccer Association policy permitting the wearing of male head covers.

“The Canadian Soccer Association is pleased that both organisations could come to a timely resolution on this important matter,” stated Victor Montagliani, President of the Canadian Soccer Association. “As the governing body of soccer in Canada we will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the integrity of our game, our membership, and players. Our commitment to the growth of our game in a unified fashion will not waiver.”

The Canadian Soccer Association initially issued a directive on 11 April 2013 to all its Provincial and Territorial Member Associations instructing them to extend the International Football Association Board (IFAB) ruling allowing head scarves to male players (turbans/patkas/keski), under specified conditions, as per FIFA circular no. 1322. This directive had been successfully applied across Canada with the exception of Quebec, forcing the Canadian Soccer Association to suspend the Quebec Soccer Federation.

FIFA and IFAB subsequently confirmed that the Canadian Soccer Association’s position was in accordance with the IFAB ruling and on Thursday 13 June formally authorized, in a letter addressed to the Canadian Soccer Association, all players to wear head covers, including males, in all areas and on all levels of the Canadian soccer community.

The matter of head covers (both male and female) will be discussed again by IFAB later in 2013 before a final decision is made at its next Annual General Meeting to be held in March 2014.

**NOTE – No media interviews will be granted. This statement is the only official comment that will be made by the Canadian Soccer Association.